How to Recognize Mesothelioma Symptoms

The first thing you need to know is that the initial signs and symptoms of mesothelioma can take as long as 50 years to manifest. The person afflicted with it will likely not even know it until it is too late.

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mesothelium mesothelium There are 2 common types: Pleural Mesothelioma and Peritoneal Mesothelioma. Both types are found in a tissue called the mesothelium. It is a membrane that forms a lining around body cavities. Pleural mesothelioma affects the tissue surrounding the lungs, whereas peritoneal mesothelioma affects the tissue around the abdominal cavity.

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pleural mesothelioma pleural mesothelioma Pleural mesothelioma typically starts off with flu like symptoms. The person may feel shortness of breath, urge to cough, wheezing and hoarseness. As the fluid accumulates around the lungs they may start to feel pain in the chest wall. As time goes on the symptoms will begin to progress to coughing up blood.
-Fatigue or Anemia

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peritoneal mesothelioma peritoneal mesothelioma Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms typically starts off differently then pleural since it affects the abdominal cavity. Symptoms include weight loss,fatigue, abdominal swelling and pain due to a buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity. Typically as it progresses you begin to see bowel problems from obstruction, blood clotting problems, anemia, and fever.

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mesothelioma symptoms mesothelioma symptoms Mesothelioma, once it starts, is a devastating and aggressive disease. It quickly migrates to other areas of the body if you live that long. Diagnosis of the disease can be difficult. Typically people exposed to asbestos require regular chest x-rays. Even then, as is the case with my step-father, it can be missed.

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If you or someone you know has ever been exposed to asbestos make sure to have regular chest x-rays done. Early intervention can save your life. Make sure to get plenty of opinions from other doctors before accepting a negative result. In the case of my step-father it could have saved his life or at least prolonged it.

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I hope this information helps you. Please take a look around there are plenty of other links on this page where you can find more information regarding mesothelioma.